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(ModeL) M. B. ATKINSON. Washing Machine. No. 234,101. Patented Nov. 2,1880. Fig.1. d -I l1 mm 1! g l z "YEW J 5L? r '[LTBII'EU "ZZZ-IL" @G "III":

iNVENTOR;

V ATTORNEY j N. PETERSjPHOTO-UTHOGRAFHER, WASHINGTON. D (7v 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OEETCE.

MAHLON B. ATKINSON, OF GEORGETOWN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO DANIEL SMITH, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 234,107, dated November 2, 1880.

Application filed August 21, 1880. (ModeL) T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MAHLON B. ATKINSON, of Georgetown, in the county of Washington and District of Columbia, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in WashingMachines and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawings is a representation of a top view of this invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail view.

This invention has relation to washing-machines and it consists in the construction and novel arrangement of the V-shaped tub, its in clined rabbeted corner tracks or guides, and the removable vibratory double plunger, consistmg of handle-levers arranged parallel with each other, connected by a central fulcrum-bar, and carrying the pivoted ends of two transverse pendent plungers, each having a longitudinal recess or pocket in its bottom and perforations through the inner wall thereof, said plungers being notched at the sides to engage with theinner edges of the rabbeted guideways of the tub, whereby a large space is left between the plungers and the ends of the tub, all as hereinafter shown and described. I

In the accompanying drawings, the letterB designates the tub, having supports A, side Walls, C, and inclined end walls, D, shelving toward each other in V form, so as to meet angularly at their lowerends, the angular space being filled with a stout lining-strip, a, which is firmly secured in place, and forms an abutment for the clothes when pressed downward. In the angles or corners between these inclined ends D and the side walls, 0, are secured the rabbeted corner tracks or guideways E, which are angularly joined at their lower ends, as shown in the drawings. Around the upper edges of the tub-walls splash-boards b are secured, these extending inward ashort distance, so as to form a water-stop around the opening and prevent splashing when the plungers are in operation. From the central portions of the side walls extend upward the fulcrum-supports I, having notched bearings c in their upper ends. In this manner is formed a plain angular tub having corner bearings and journalsupports, which is entirely without metallic gearing or plates, and which can be readily cleansed and kept in order.

F indicates the double plunger, consisting of parallel handle-levers G, centrally connected by the fulcrum-shaft H, having the journal ends 01, which are seated in the bearings c of the supports I. Each handle-lever is slotted at 6 near each end, to receive the ends of the arms K of the transverse plungers L, said arms being pivoted in the handle-slots by means of pins 9. Each plunger L consists of a back or main board, h, to which the arms K are secured by their rear edges, and a short front or pocket board, k, which is fastened to the front edges of the arms in such a manner that a longitudinal space or recess. Z, will be left between the boards h and k, which is covered by means of a strip, an, and forms a pocket eX- tending the length of the plunger, said pocket being open alongits lower portion and having perforations 19 through the inner boards, it, through which the water can pass when the plungers are forced down in the clothes in the tub. At the lower corner of each plunger the boards are notched, as indicated at s, to form bearings to engage the rabbeted corner slides of the tub, along which the plungers move up and down obliquely toward the angular center when the lever-handles are operated.

In order to prevent injury to the fabrics being washed the edges of the boards h and k are rounded.

As each plunger descends the opposite plunger rises, the former acting by pressure and the latter by suction on the goods, which are in the angular portion of the tub, being kept there by the shelving of its end walls. As each plunger descends the water rises in recess 1 and passes through the openings 12. When the plunger rises suction forces the clothes against the outside of these openings or perforationsp and closes the same. This causes a partial vacuum in recess l, and the clothes are pressed against the plunger and dragged up with it. By this construction a small quantity of clothes can be washed as well as a large the ends of the tub, as the plungers descend quantity; for if recess I were open at the top, the water freely passes up and oifers little rein order for the plunger to pull up the clothes, I sistance, and the clothes are rubbed between they must be on top, and even then only those i the back of the plungers and the ends D. If 25 5 on top would be thus moved, those below rei this space were small, the clothes would be maining. This alternate action also creates caught between, strained, and torn. currents through the perforations of the pock- What I claim, and desire to secure by Letets, which act on the clothes at each stroke. ters Patent, isif The directpressureot'thelower edges ofthc In a washing-machine, the plungers K L, 30 1o plungers in alternation afi'ords a squeezing aclevers G, rock-shaft H, and supports I, in comtion to the goods, so that they are subjected l bination with the ti-shaped trough D, proto the necessary motion for cleansing pnri vided withrabbetedtracksE, wherebyaspace poses. The backs of the pioneers are rubbingis left between the plungers and the inclined surfaces, which act on the goods lying against ends I), as and for the purposes set forth. 35 t5 the inclined ends of the tub. During the I In testimony that I claim the above I have movements of the plungers they are kept from hereunto subscribed my name in the presence contact with the inclined walls of the tub by of two witnesses.

the corner ways, E, and as they are never near M. B. ATKINSON. enough to each other to come in contact the Witnesses: 2o goods cannot be injured. By leaving this CHARLES W. HANDY,

space between the back of the plnngers and I. H. G. BUDD. 

